Spherical amusement device



p 19, 1 c. M. CATHEY ET AL 3 ,000,022

SPHERICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed July 10, 1959 INVENTORS W\LL.\AM H. F-UNCH ALWYN r2 BECHTOLD '22 ATTO 2M EYS United States Patent fifiee 3,000,022 Patented Sept. 19, 1961 3,000,022 SPHERICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE Carrol M. Cathey, 511 Summers Lane, and William H. Finch, 2682 Eberliue St., both of Klamath Falls, reg., and Alwyn R. Bechtold, Roseburg, Oreg.

Filed July 10, 1959, Ser. No. 826,202 6 Claims. (Cl. 9-310) This invention rel-ates to amusement devices, and more particularly to a spherical vehicle which may be employed in the water or on land and wherein an occupant causes motion of the vehicle by shifting his body weight.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved amusement device which is relatively simple in construction, which involves only a few components, and which may be eflfectively employed either as a floating vehicle in the water or as a rolling vehicle on the ground and which may be propelled either by the occupant or by some external source of traction.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved amusement device of the type comprising a vehicle of spherical form adapted to house the person using same, the device being inexpensive to manufacture, being durable in construction, and being especially useful as a floating vehicle in the water.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved amusement device according to the present invention, shown in the water and containing an occupant.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken through the spherical vehicle of FIGURE 1.

' FIGURE 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the portions of the mating segments of the spherical vehicle of FIGURES 1 to 3 containing the locking clips holding the segments together.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross sectional detail view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view generally similar to FIGURE 5 but showing a modified form of sealing arrangement between the mating segments of the vehicle.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical cross sectional view, snmlar to FIGURE 7, but showing a still further modified form of sealing arrangement which may be employed to seal the mating segments of the vehicle when they are in closed positions.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 6, 11 generally designates an improved amusement vehicle according to the present invention. The vehicle comprises a bottom hemispherical segment 12 and a top hemispherical segment 13, the segments 12 and 13 being adapted to meet to define a complete sphere of substantial size As shown in FIGURE 1, the sphere is large enough to receive a person.

The upper sphere 13 is preferably made of relatively rigid transparent material, such as transparent plastic, or the like, and is formed with a plurality of ventilating openings 14 in its uppermost portion. The bottom hemisphere 12 is preferably lined with opaque material, so that only the upper portion of the sphere is transparent. Thus, a coating 15 of any suitable opaque material may be provided on the inside surface of the bottom hemispherical segment 12.

The bottom segment 12 is formed with the thickened rim portion 16 which is shouldered to receive a depending peripheral flange 17 defined on the rim of the upper segment 13. Thus, the upper segment 13 is provided with the thickened inwardly projecting portion 18 which defines an inside shoulder with respect to the peripheral rim 17 of the segment -13. A sealing ring 19 of resilient deformable material, such as rubber or the like, is received in the generally rectangular recess defined between the rib 18 of upper segment 13 and the top rim 20 of the thickened portion 16 of the lower segment 12. As shown in FIGURE 2, the top rim 20 comprises an annular flange which is closely receivable within the depending rim 17 of the upper hemispherical segment 13.

Respective gripping brackets are provided in the segments 12 and 13, said brackets being generally V-shaped and being secured at their bight portions 21 to the thickened portions 16 and 18 of the hemispherical segments 12 and 13 in vertical registry 'with each other, the ends 22 of the gripping brackets being likewise secured to the thickened portions 16 and 18 of the respective segments 12 and 13 so that the brackets are arranged horizontally and in parallel relationship with each other. Thus, the upper bracket comprises the respective 'bardike elements 23, 23 and the lower bracket comprises the respective bar-like elements 24, 24, the elements 23 and- 24 being in vertical registry with each other and being suflicient-ly close to each other so that an occupant of the device may simultaneously grip both pairs of vertically aligned bar elements 23, 24 with his hands, as is illustrated in FIG- URE 1. The gripping force exerted by the occupant thus holds the segments closed, but when the gripping force is released, the segments may be separated. Substantially diametrically opposite the bight elements 21 of the gripping brackets are located a pair of depending resilient locking clips 25, 25, said locking clips being externally secured at their top ends to the rim portion of the upper segment 13 and being formed with spherical detent balls 26 at their bottom ends which are lockingly engageable in detent recesses 27 provided in the rim portion 16 of the lower segment 12. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 5, the resilient locking clips 25 yieldably secure the segments 12 and 13 together at the region diametrically opposite the gripping bars so that the occupant of the vehicle may control the closure of the device by grasping the pairs of gripping bars 23, 2-4 in the manner above described.

Secured externally to the rim portion of the lower segment 12 subjacent the point of connection of the bight element 21 of the lower gripping bracket is a generally U-shaped bracket member 27 in which is pivoted a towing hook 28 having an inwardly projecting end portion 29 which is lockingly engageable by a slide bar 30. As shown in FIGURE 2, the slide bar 30 projects inside the vehicle and may be manipulatd by the occupant to retract same, if so desired. A recess 31 is provided in which the vertical upstanding outer head portion of the locking bar 30 is receivable, whereby to provide clearance for free upward movement of the detent portion 29 of the hook member 28, allowing the hook to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 2, whereby the book may be disengaged from a tow line if the occupant of the device so desires. As shown in FIGURE 2, the hook portion 28 normally extends upwardly between parallel fingers 32, 32 provided at the top portion of the bracketmember 27 so as to deline a closed connecting ring which may be engaged with a loop on the end of a tow line. When the locking slide bar 30 is pulled in wardly, as above described, the hook 28 is released, whereby it is free to rot-ate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 2, whereby it may disengage from the loop of the tow line.

A pair of foot stalls 33, 33 are interiorly secured to the bottom of the lower segment 12, the foot stalls being spaced to receive the occupants feet. Externally secured to the bottom portion of the lower segment 12 are a pair of depending, substantially rigid fins 34, 34 which are ar ranged to diverge forwardly at a relatively small angle, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Externally secured to the bottom of the lower segment 12 between the forward portions of the fins 34, 34 is a forwardly tapering scoop block 35 which has a concave rear surface 36, as shown in FIGURE 2. The scoop block 35 is employed as a propulsion means, whereby an occupant of the vehicle may propel same forwardly through the water by rocking the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly, whereby the oscillation of the vehicle causes the scoop block 3-5 to push the vehicle forwardly.

Under these conditions, the depending guide fins 34, 34 serve as a means to maintain movement of the vehicle in a desired straight course, although the vehicle may be steered or turned by the occupant by shifting his weight either to one side or the other and employing the fins 34, 34 as rudder elements.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 7,

the upper segment 13 is provided with the inwardly projecting rib 18' to which is secured a depending resilient deformable annular gasket element 40, said rib element 18' being further formed with an annular groove 41 spaced outwardly from the gasket ring 40. The bottom segment 12 is provided with the rib 16' to which is secured the annular gasket ring 43 which is sealingly engageable in the annular recess 41 of upper segment I13 and is further for-med with the annular recess 44 spaced inwardly from the ring 43 which is arranged to sealingly receive the depending annular ring 40 of the upper segment 13. i In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 8, the upper segment 13 is provided with the inwardly projecting peripheral rib 58 which is formed with a downwardly facing annular groove 59, and the lower segment 12 is formed with the inwardly projecting rib 60 in which is seated the annular sealing ring 61, said sealing ring projecting upwardly and being sealingly receivable in the annular recess 59 of the upper segment 13.

It will be understood that although the device may be employed as a floating vehicle, it also may be employed as a rolling ground vehicle, for example, in soft snow. As in the case of use as a water vehicle, the amusement device may be maneuvered by the occupant by shifting his weight forwardly and rearwardly or laterally, as required.

While certain specific embodiments of an improved spherical amusement vehicle has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the form of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

' What is claimed is:

1. An amusement device of the character described comprising a pair of mating transparent hemispherical shell members adapted to define a generally spherical enclosure to receive an occupant, clip means on the external r-im portions of the shell members releasably holding the rim portions of the shell members together at one location of the enclosure, vertically aligned elongated horizontal gripping elements mounted internally on the rim portions of the shell members substantially diametrically opposite said clip means and being spaced sufficiently close together vertically so that the occupant may simultaneously grip the gripping elements, and sealing means interposed between the rim portions of the shell members.

2. An amusement device of the character described comprising a pair of mating transparent hemispherical shell members adapted to define a generally spherical enclosure to receive an occupant, clip means on the external rim portions of the shell members releasably holding the rim portions of the shell members together at one location of the enclosure, vertically aligned elongated horizontal gripping elements mounted internally on the rim portions of the shell members substantially diame'h rically opposite said clip means and being spaced sufficiently close together vertically so that the occupant may simultaneously grip the gripping elements, sealing means interposed between the rim portions of the shell members, and at least one depending rigid vane member secured externally to the bottom of the lowermost shell member.

3. An amusement device of the character described comprising a pair of mating transparent hemispherical shell members adapted to define a generally spherical enclosure to receive an occupant, clip means on the eX- 3 ternal rim portions of the shell members releasably holding the rim portions of the shell members together at one a location of the enclosure, vertically aligned horizontal elongated gripping elements mounted internally on the rim portions of the shell members substantially diametrically opposite said clip means and being spaced sufficiently close together vertically so that the occupant may simultaneously grip the gripping elements, sealing means interposed bet-ween the rim portions of the shell members, at least one depending rigid vane member secured externally to the bottom of the lowermost shell member, and a depending propulsion element secured to the bottom of said lower-most shell member and extending substantially transverse to said vane member.

4. An amusement device of the character described comprising a pair of mating transparent hemispherical shell members adapted to define a generally spherical enclosure to receive an occupant, clip means on the external rim portions of the shell members releasably holding the rim portions of the shell members together at one location of the enclosure, vertically aligned horizontal elongated gripping elements mounted internally on the rim portions of the shell members substantially diametrically opposite said clip means and being spaced sufficiently close together vertically so that the occupant may simultaneously grip the gripping elements, sealing means interposed between the rim portions of the shell members, a pair of depending, forwardly diverging rigid vane members secured externally to the bottom of the lowermost shell member, and a depending propulsion element secured to the bottom of said lowermost shell member, said propulsion element tapering forwardly in thickness and having a rearwardly concave rear surface extending substantially transverse to said vane members.

5. An amusement device of the character described comprising a pair of transparent mating hemispherical shell members adapted to define a generally spherical enclosure to receive an occupant, clip means on the external. rim portions of the shell members releasably holding the rim portions of the shell members together at one location on the enclosure, respective pairs of vertically aligned parallel horizontal gripping has secured internally to the rim portions of the shell members substantially diametrically opposite said clip means and being spaced sufiiciently close together vertically so that the occupant may simultaneously grip the respective pairs of parallel gripping bars, and sealing means interposed between the rim portions of the shell members.

6. An amusement device of the character described comprising a pair of transparent mating hemispherical shell members adapted to define a generally spherical enclosure to receive an occupant, clip means on the external rim portions of the shell members releasably holding the rim portions of the shell members together at one location on the enclosure, respective pairs of vertically aligned parallel horizontal gripping bars secured internally to the rim portions of the shell members substantially diametrically opposite said clip means and being spaced sufiiciently close together vertically so that the occupant may simultaneously grip the respective pairs of parallel gripping bars, sealing means interposed between the rim portions of the shell members, a pair of depending, forwardly diverging rigid vane members secured externally to the bottom of the lowermost shell member, and a depending propulsion e'lernent secured to the bottom of said lowermost shell member, said propulsion element tapering forwardly in thickness and having a rearwardly concave rear surface extending substantially transverse to said vane members.

70 6,80 3 Crouch Aug. 12, 1902 6 Matthews Dec. 6, 1910 Field et a l. May 20, 1919 Sawyer Mar. 8, 1938 Mason Sept. 13, 1938 Higgins Man. 2, 1943 Tritt May 26, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS France June 25, 1952 France Sept. 21, 1955 

